Lakers legend gives thoughts on LeBron James joining Sixers on a deal

The Philadelphia 76ers were able to win the offseason with the moves they were able to make to improve the roster. President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey and the staff were able to land the likes of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James in an effort to seriously challenge in the Eastern Conference.

The acquisition of Brown from the Boston Celtics set up the move to land James in free agency. The future Hall of Famer joins Philadelphia after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and will be looking to help the Sixers end a long title drought as the franchise has not won a title since 1983.

Lakers legend Derek Fisher spoke on James joining the Sixers, per Yahoo! Sports :

"I like the move on just pure basketball based on where LeBron is as a veteran player," Fisher said. "He gets labelled a lot for being very self-absorbed while he's typically made a lot of basketball decisions that are about team success. "He's chasing winning, which is a team thing. Yes, it would positively add to his individual legacy to be a part of another team that plays in the NBA Finals, which I think the Sixers have a chance to get to. "So I like the move in terms of, at this age and where he is in his journey, there's no reason for him to have to be the best player on the team. Shouldn't even try to be the best player on the team."

"I like the move on just pure basketball based on where LeBron is as a veteran player," Fisher said. "He gets labelled a lot for being very self-absorbed while he's typically made a lot of basketball decisions that are about team success.

"He's chasing winning, which is a team thing. Yes, it would positively add to his individual legacy to be a part of another team that plays in the NBA Finals, which I think the Sixers have a chance to get to.

"So I like the move in terms of, at this age and where he is in his journey, there's no reason for him to have to be the best player on the team. Shouldn't even try to be the best player on the team."

James averaged 20.9 points per game with the Lakers in 2025-26, and to Fisher's point, he won't have to be the best player on the Sixers every night. As Philadelphia moves forward, it will need James to produce, but the scoring responsibilities will be placed upon Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey. It's a perect fit.